Exhaust deflector



Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE Peters & Russell, 1110.,

poration of Ohio Springfield, Ohio, a cor- Application March 8, 1949, Serial No. 80,161

8 Claims.

This invention relates to exhaust deflectors of the kind mounted as extensions upon the tail pipes of automobiles.

Devices of this class are the subject of not inconsiderable study and research, not only to the end that their utilitarian features may be improved, but also, that their character as a useful and ornamental accessory may be of long life, and that they may be easily and securely installed. A deflector is subjected to rapidly changing temperature extremes and to the corrosive influences of the exhaust gases, both of which tend to shorten its useful life.

Simple and secure fastening means for the deflector are desirable in order that the installation may be made by an unskilled person, and in order that vibration will not make of the deflector a source of noise, and perhaps result in its dropping from the automobile and becoming lost.

The instant invention is aimed at improvement in the manner of discharge of exhaust gases through a deflector, and in the means for attaching the deflector to the tail pipe. In regard to the former, it is contemplated that the initial deflection of the exhaust gases be accomplished by a supplemental deflector element contained wi hin and hidden from view by a surrounding shell, the shell being rigidly held in spaced relation to the supplemental member to define an air flow passage therebetween for cooling purposes and to aid in evacuation of the gases. The shell, which is the principal element of the deflector and ornamentally plated and finished, thereby is protected in a large degree from direct contact with the gases and from wide temperature extremes.

In regard to the attachment feature of the invention, it is the object to utilize the aforementioned supplemental deflector to mount the assembly, including the outer shell, firmly upon the tail pipe using but a single set of attachment bolts. Heretofore, it has been the practice to effect a telescoping connection of the deflector with the tail pipe and to apply a plurality of adjustable clamping pressures at longitudinally spaced points to inhibit slippage and relative tilting movements. In the present construction a single adjustable clamping pressure is applied between the supplemental deflector and the bottom portion of the outer shell, and therethrough upon the tail pipe. Such pressure is exerted adjacent one end of the supplemental deflector, projected portions engageable with the top portion of the shell being formed on the supplemental deflector adjacent the opposite end thereof. Through the cooperation of the attachment bolts, which comprise the adjustable pressure applying means, and the projected portions, a substantially rigid spaced relation is achieved between the shell and supplemental deflector, and the complete assembly may be secured to the tail pipe by adjustment of but a single set of attachment bolts.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of attaching exhaust deflectors to supporting tail pipes, whereby such deflectors may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more eflicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of tail pipes, having relatively few parts, and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a supplemental deflector element having the novel functions and mode of cooperation with the main deflector element above described.

A further object of the invention is to improve the apearances and functioning of exhaust deflector attachment means.

A further object of the invention is the new and novel means of securing a supplemental deflector within the exhaust deflector head.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the vertical dimensions of an assembled exhaust deflector so as to conform with present day automobile styling.

A further object of the invention is to simplify the assembly of such double wall exhaust deflectors.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exhaust deflector possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above objects in view as primary and other incidental will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be pro tected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations ing drawing, or its equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exhaust deflector in accordance with the instant invention, shown mounted upon an automobile tail pipe;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the deflector;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing how the outer shell of the deflector may be made of two-part construction rather than one-part, as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the deflector, the outer shell being shown in horizontal longitudinal section;

Fig. 5 is a view of the deflector in vertical longitudinal section; and

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the supplemental deflector.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, a fragment of an automobile exhaust tail pipe is indicated at with a deflector, in accordance with the instant invention mounted thereon. The deflector comprises an outer shell II having a substantially flattened tubular formation. For purposes of description, the shell Il may be considered to be made up of a top portion I2 and a bottom portion I3 spaced apart and connected by side portions I4 (see Fig. 2). The top and bottom portions I2 and [3 are curved in their mid areas to approximately correspond to the curvature of the tail pipe, which is cylindrical, while the side portions I4 are radially spaced from the tail pipe and connected to the to and bottom portions by a curved configuration of the shell.

The shell II may be of unitary one-piece construction, as shown in Fig. 2, made and formed in a single operation as by drawing. Alternatively, the shell may be made of two-part construction as shown in Fig. 3. According to this form, a shell I5 has longitudinal edges in spaced apart relation at the bottom portion of the shell. The spaced apart edges are connected by an overlapping plate l8, which thus becomes the bottom portion of the shell and is curved to conform to the shape of the tail pipe.

With an outer shell constructed and arranged either as shown in Fig. 2, or as shown in Fig. 3, the deflector assembly further comprises a plate I? arranged longitudinally within the shell and adapted to rest upon the tail pipe in overlying contacting relationship thereto. The plate I1 is arcuate shaped, viewed in cross section, conforming to the curvature of the tail pipe in such manner as to provide a wide bearing for the plate upon the tail pipe, and to inhibit relative lateral motion therebetween. Integrally formed with the plate H are side flanges or wings I8 projecting outward from the longitudinal edges of the plate toward the side portions I4 of the shell II.

The side flanges I8 afford a place of attachment for connection means between the plate I1 and the shell II. This connection means comprises a pair of bolts I9 passed through the bottom portion I3 of the shell at points adjacent the respective side portions l4 and extending into cooperative engagement with the respective side flanges I8. Nuts 2i are clamped upon the side flanges i8 and receive the threaded ends of the bolts I9, the bolts I9 and 2! comprising a form of commercially known speed-nut type fastener. The bolts I9 are accessible from outside the shell it for rotative adjustment whereby the plate I! and the bottom portion I3 of the shell may be alternately caused to grip opposing surfaces upon the tail pipe or to be loosened to release such grip.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the plate I1 and shell II lie in parallel longitudinal planes and are elongated to provide a relatively long axial bearing upon the tail pipe. The bolts I9 engage the side flanges II; of the plate I1 at a point adjacent one end thereof. In both embodiments of the invention this is the inner end of the plate, or that end opposed to the discharge end of the deflector.

Longitudinally spaced from the bolted connection above described, the plate I! is formed with extruded portions 22 in the form of lugs or projections struck upward out of the middle of the plate (Fig. 6) The projections 22 occupy a position substantially midway between the side edges of the plate I1, and are constructed and ar" ranged to engage the internal surface of top shell portion I2. Through the cooperation of the attachment bolts [9 and the projections 22, a substantially rigid connection is effected between the shell II and plate ll, and there is, moreover, defined between the plate I! and top portion I2 of the shell a continuously open air flow passage 23.

In the installed position of the deflector, the outer end of the plate I! projects beyond the outer end of the exhaust tail pipe I0, and, as shown in Fig. 5, is curved outwardly and downwardly to effect a directed discharge of the exhaust gases. The outer shell II similarly is formed with an extension 24 conforming in shape to the outer end of plate I? and retaining the spaced relation between the parts. Air flowing through the passage 23 thereby not only is enabled to cool the plate ll and shell ii, but also may function to aid in the evacuation of gases from the tail pipe.

In mounting the deflector upon an exhaust tail wipe, the bolts I9 first are retracted relatively to the flanges is on the plate H a suflicient distance to permit the tail pipe easily to be received between plate Il and bottom portion !3 of the shell. When the deflector has been placed upon the tail pipe substantially in the position shown in Fig. 5, the bolts H; are turned inward to draw plate ll downward into contact with the tail pipe and to effect a compressing action of the bottom portion I3 of the shell in such manner as to grip the tail pipe between the plate I1 and portion I3. Insasmuch as the attachment bolts I9 are located adjacent the inner end of plate I1, tightening of the bolts tends to elevate the opposite or outer end of the plate which is unattached to the bottom of the shell. Such motion is precluded or limited, however, by engagement of the extruded lugs or projections 22 with the top portion I2 of the shell. The tendency toward rocking motion of the plate I'I, accordingly, is utilized to effect a tight connection between the parts whereby the desired positions and relation thereof may be achieved and preserved against the effects of vibration.

It will be observed that the plate I1 serves not only as a means for attaching the shell II to the tail pipe, but also as a means of first exhaust deflection. The hot exhaust gases reach the shell II only by secondary contact, and the shell is therefore protected to a large extent from the heating and defacing action of the gases so that its life as a useful and ornamental accessory is prolonged.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into efiect.

spaced underlying relation to said top portion, a plate arcuate shaped in cross-section to rest upon and conform to the shaft of said tail pipe, said element, projections with said underlying side portions of said main deflector elements, said attachment bolts and said projections being located at longitudinally spaced points along the length of said plate.

2. A deflector for use on the exhaust tail pipes of automobiles and the like, including a main deflector element formed with spaced top and bottom portions arranged to receive the tail pipe therebetween, a plate arcuate shaped in crossn to rest upon the tail pipe and substantially surrounded by said main deflector element, projections on said plate engageable with the underside of the top portion of said main deflector element, and adjustable rigid connection means between said plate and the bottom portion of said deflector element longitudinally spaced from said projections.

3. A deflector for use on the exhaust tail pipes of automobiles and the like, including a main deflector element formed with spaced top and bottom portions arranged to receive the tail pipe therebetween, a plate resting upon the tail pipe and extending longitudinally between the top and bottom portions of the main deflector element,

4. A deflector for use on of automobiles and the like, including a main said deflector element are formed with downthe exhaust tail pipes air therebetween for cooling purposes and to aid in evacuation of the exhaust gases.

6. A deflector for use on the exhaust tail pipes of automobiles and the like, including an approximately tubular outer shell constructed and said plate, attachment bolts extensible through that side of the shell occupying an underlying relation to the tail pipe opposite side of said portions exceeding the diameter of which is received between said plate and the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

